The Toyota Camry has long been recognized for its reliability and practicality, and the 2009 Toyota Camry Le continues this tradition while also offering commendable safety features. This analysis delves into the side impact crash test performance of the 2009 Toyota Camry LE, providing a detailed look at its safety ratings and what they mean for occupant protection. Please note that while the tested vehicle was a 2007 model, the rating applies to Toyota Camry models from 2007 through 2011 of the same generation, including the 2009 Toyota Camry LE.
This evaluation is based on rigorous side impact crash testing, assessing various aspects of vehicle safety and occupant injury measures. The test was conducted on a 2007 Toyota Camry LE 4-door, which shares the same structural and safety design as the 2009 model. It’s important to highlight that these safety ratings are applicable to models within the 2007-2011 generation, but do not extend to the redesigned 2012 and later Toyota Camry models. Furthermore, the side impact performance is also relevant to the Lexus ES 350, the luxury counterpart of the Camry, for models in the same timeframe (2007-2012 before its redesign).
The 2009 Toyota Camry LE earned the highest possible rating of “Good” in the side impact crash test, indicating a high level of protection for occupants in this type of collision. The overall evaluation, along with specific structural and safety cage performance, all received a “Good” rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
This “Good” rating extends to critical driver and rear passenger injury measures. For both front and rear occupants, the head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg injury measures were all rated as “Good”. This consistent top rating across all injury categories demonstrates the 2009 Toyota Camry LE’s ability to effectively protect occupants throughout the body in a side impact scenario. Furthermore, both driver and rear passenger head protection were also rated “Good”, signifying the effectiveness of the side curtain airbags in preventing head injuries.
The structural performance of the 2009 Toyota Camry LE during the side impact test is also noteworthy. Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side indicated minimal intrusion into the occupant space. Specifically, the B-pillar to the longitudinal centerline of the driver’s seat showed a measurement of -16.0 cm. The negative value indicates that the structural crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, further illustrating the robust safety cage of the vehicle.
Detailed technical measurements provide further insight into the crash test performance. For the driver, the Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) was measured at 182, well below critical levels. Neck tension and compression forces were minimal, and shoulder deflection and force were also within acceptable ranges. Torso deflection measurements, both maximum and average, were low, as were the viscous criterion and deflection rate. Pelvic and femur injury measures were also notably low, indicating effective protection for the lower body extremities.
Rear passenger injury measures mirrored the favorable results observed for the driver. The rear passenger Head HIC-15 score was even lower at 68. Neck, shoulder, torso, pelvis, and femur injury measures were all minimal, further confirming the consistent “Good” ratings across all categories for rear occupants as well.
In conclusion, the 2009 Toyota Camry LE demonstrates excellent side impact crash safety performance. The “Good” rating across all evaluation criteria, supported by detailed technical measurements, underscores the vehicle’s strong safety cage and effective occupant protection systems, including side airbags. For those considering a safe and reliable sedan, the 2009 Toyota Camry LE stands out as a vehicle prioritizing passenger safety in side impact collisions.
